Want to know Pat McAfee net worth and how he built his fortune? Learn how he went from an NFL punter to a media powerhouse, making millions from ESPN, FanDuel, and business ventures.
Introduction
Pat McAfee’s story is not like most athletes. Many NFL players struggle financially after retirement, but McAfee turned his sports career into a media empire. He went from earning millions in the NFL to making even more as a sports commentator, podcast host, and entrepreneur.
McAfee’s bold moves, like retiring early at 29, betting on himself, and building his brand, have paid off in a big way. Today, he is one of the highest-paid sports media personalities, securing massive deals with FanDuel and ESPN.
So, how did he do it? How does Pat McAfee make his money? And what can we learn from his financial journey? Let’s break it all down.
How Pat McAfee Makes His Money
1. NFL Salary and Career Earnings
Pat McAfee played as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2017. His earnings from football were impressive:
- Rookie Contract (2009-2012): A 4-year, $1.8 million deal.
- Franchise Tag (2013): A 1-year, $2.977 million contract.
- Second Contract (2014-2017): A 5-year, $14.5 million deal.
In total, McAfee made around $15 million from his NFL career. But he left millions on the table when he retired in 2017, walking away from his contract to pursue media. Many thought it was a risky move—but it turned out to be one of the best financial decisions of his life.
2. Podcast and Media Deals
After leaving the NFL, McAfee launched The Pat McAfee Show, which quickly became one of the most popular sports podcasts. His entertaining personality and deep sports knowledge attracted millions of listeners, leading to huge media deals:
FanDuel Deal (2021-2023)
- In 2021, McAfee signed a 4-year, $120 million exclusive partnership with FanDuel.
- This meant he was making $30 million per year just from this deal.
ESPN Deal (2023-Present)
- In 2023, McAfee left FanDuel and joined ESPN, signing a 5-year, $85 million deal.
- He now hosts The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, reaching an even bigger audience.
Other Revenue Sources from His Show
Apart from these big contracts, McAfee also earns from:
- YouTube ads – His show gets millions of views, bringing in six figures monthly.
- Podcast sponsorships – Big brands pay him to promote products on his show.
- Merchandise sales – His brand sells T-shirts, hoodies, and sports gear.
McAfee’s media empire makes him far more than his NFL salary ever did.
3. Endorsements and Sponsorships
McAfee’s success has made him a valuable brand ambassador. He has worked with major companies like:
- WWE – As a commentator and occasional wrestler.
- SeatGeek – A ticket marketplace.
- DraftKings – A sports betting platform.
These endorsement deals add millions to his yearly earnings.
Pat McAfee’s Business Ventures and Investments
1. Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI)
In 2018, McAfee launched Pat McAfee Inc., which manages his:
- Podcast
- Sponsorship deals
- Merchandise business
By running his own company, McAfee keeps full control over his brand and profits.
2. WWE and Pro Wrestling
McAfee is a lifelong WWE fan, and he got the chance to work with them:
- 2018-2021: Became a WWE commentator.
- 2022: Wrestled at WrestleMania 38 against Austin Theory.
- 2023: Made a surprise return at WrestleMania 39.
While WWE is not his main income source, it has helped him grow his fanbase and secure more business deals.
3. Investments in Real Estate & Business
Although McAfee has not revealed many details about his investments, he has:
- Real estate properties, including a former church he turned into his podcast studio.
- Likely investments in stocks, crypto, and businesses.
McAfee is smart about money—he reinvests in assets that can grow his wealth.
How Pat McAfee Spends His Money
1. Luxury vs. Smart Spending
McAfee enjoys his wealth but is not flashy. He does own:
- A mansion in Indianapolis
- A luxury car collection
However, most of his money goes into growing his business. Instead of spending millions on watches and jewelry, he hires top talent, upgrades his studio, and expands his brand.
2. Philanthropy and Giving Back
McAfee is also known for his charity work. After signing his FanDuel deal, he donated $6 million to:
- Children’s hospitals
- Youth sports programs
- Community projects
He believes in helping others while building his success.
Lessons from Pat McAfee’s Financial Success
1. Bet on Yourself
McAfee took a huge risk by retiring from the NFL early. But because he believed in himself, he ended up making way more money.
2. Build a Brand
His big personality and unique style helped him build a loyal audience, leading to huge deals with FanDuel and ESPN.
3. Have Multiple Income Streams
McAfee earns from media, sponsorships, wrestling, and investments. This keeps his wealth growing even if one source slows down.
4. Reinvest in Your Business
Instead of wasting money, McAfee puts it back into his brand, making him even more successful.
5. Give Back
McAfee’s charity work shows that true wealth is about more than money—it’s about making a difference.
Conclusion
Pat McAfee’s story shows how someone can go from an NFL punter to a rich sports media star. He took big risks, built his brand, and made smart money moves. Because of this, he has turned his career into a huge success. Today, Pat McAfee net worth keeps growing, showing that with the right plan, anyone can build wealth.
If you like learning about how athletes make money, you should check out our post on Vinicius Junior’s net worth. See how he is growing his fortune and planning for the future. Read more here!
What do you think about Pat McAfee’s financial journey? Let us know in the comments…
FAQs about Pat McAfee Net Worth
1. What is Pat McAfee net worth in 2025?
Pat McAfee’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million to $80 million in 2025. His wealth comes from:
- His NFL career, where he made about $15 million.
- A 4-year, $120 million deal with FanDuel in 2021.
- A 5-year, $85 million contract with ESPN in 2023.
- Revenue from his podcast, sponsorships, and business ventures.
His net worth is expected to keep growing as his media career expands.
2. Why did Pat McAfee retire from the NFL early?
Pat McAfee retired from the NFL in 2017, at just 29 years old. He left millions of dollars behind because:
- Health Issues – He had multiple knee surgeries, and his body was struggling.
- New Career Goals – He was interested in media and entertainment.
- A Big Opportunity – Barstool Sports offered him a chance to work in sports media, which helped him start his podcast.
At first, people thought it was a risky move, but it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions of his life.
3. How does Pat McAfee make money after retiring from football?
After leaving the NFL, Pat McAfee built a media empire. His income sources include:
- ESPN Contract – He signed a $85 million deal in 2023.
- YouTube & Podcast Ads – His show gets millions of views, making him hundreds of thousands of dollars per month.
- Sponsorships & Brand Deals – He works with big brands like SeatGeek and DraftKings.
- Merchandise Sales – He sells hats, shirts, and sports gear under his brand.
- WWE & Pro Wrestling – He has earned money from commentary and wrestling appearances.
Unlike many athletes who struggle with money after retiring, McAfee found even bigger success outside of football.
4. What are Pat McAfee’s biggest business ventures?
Pat McAfee is a smart businessman. His major business ventures include:
- Pat McAfee Inc. (PMI) – His media company, which handles his podcast, sponsorships, and brand deals.
- The Pat McAfee Show – His podcast and YouTube channel, where he discusses sports and interviews top athletes.
- WWE & Pro Wrestling – He has worked as a commentator and wrestler, helping WWE gain more viewers.
- Real Estate – He has invested in properties, including a church-turned-studio for his podcast.
- Stock & Business Investments – While not much is publicly known, he likely invests in stocks and private businesses.
McAfee is not just making money—he is growing his empire by making smart financial moves.
5. How does Pat McAfee spend his money?
Pat McAfee enjoys his success but does not waste money. He spends in a balanced way:
Smart Investments – Instead of buying too many expensive items, he invests in his business to make more money.
Luxury Living – He owns a big house in Indianapolis and some luxury cars, but he does not overspend.
Philanthropy – He has donated millions to charities, hospitals, and youth programs.
Hiring Top Talent – He pays his staff well to make his media company successful.
Unlike some celebrities who waste their fortune, McAfee focuses on long-term financial growth.